Fence post-protecting system

ABSTRACT

The fence post-protecting system is configured for use with a fence. The fence post-protecting system forms a sleeve structure that encloses the fence post below the ground. The fence post-protecting system protects the portion of the fence post that is below the ground. The fence post-protecting system is buried in the ground. The fence post inserts into the fence post-protecting system after the fence post-protecting system has been buried in the ground. The fence post-protecting system comprises a vertical shell, a pedestal disk, and an epoxy. The vertical shell attaches the pedestal disk. The fence post inserts into the fence post-protecting system through the vertical shell. The epoxy is poured into the vertical shell and the pedestal disk after the fence post is inserted into the fence post-protecting system. The epoxy forms a fluid impermeable coating around the fence post that protects the fence post.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of building and structures including fencing and devices for erecting fences, more specifically, a device for erecting a fence post.

(E04H17/263) SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The fence post-protecting system is configured for use with a fence. The fence further comprises a fence post. The fence post-protecting system forms a sleeve structure that encloses the portion of the fence post that is below the ground. The fence post-protecting system protects the portion of the fence post that is below the ground. The fence post-protecting system is buried in the ground. The fence post inserts into the fence post-protecting system after the fence post-protecting system comprises a vertical shell, a pedestal disk, and an epoxy. The vertical shell attaches the pedestal disk. The fence post inserts into the fence post-protecting system through the vertical shell. The epoxy is poured into the vertical shell and the pedestal disk after the fence post is inserted into the fence post-protecting system. The epoxy forms a fluid impermeable coating around the fence post that protects the fence post.

These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the fence post-protecting system will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the fence post-protecting system in detail, it is to be understood that the fence post-protecting system is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the fence post-protecting system.

It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the fence post-protecting system. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure across 4-4 as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

Detailed reference will now be made to one or more potential embodiments of the disclosure, which are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5.

The fence post-protecting system 100 (hereinafter invention) is configured for use with a fence 104. The fence 104 further comprises a fence 104 post 141. The invention 100 forms a sleeve structure that encloses the portion of the fence 104 post 141 that is below the ground 151. The invention 100 protects the portion of the fence 104 post 141 that is below the ground 151. The invention 100 is buried in the ground 151. The fence 104 post 141 inserts into the invention 100 after the invention 100 has been buried in the ground 151. The fence 104 and the fence 104 post 141 are defined elsewhere in this disclosure. The ground 151 is defined elsewhere in this disclosure.

The invention 100 comprises a vertical shell 101, a pedestal disk 102, and an epoxy 103. The vertical shell 101 attaches the pedestal disk 102. The fence 104 post 141 inserts into the invention 100 through the vertical shell 101. The epoxy 103 is poured into the vertical shell 101 and the pedestal disk 102 after the fence 104 post 141 is inserted into the invention 100. The epoxy 103 forms a fluid impermeable coating around the fence 104 post 141 that protects the fence 104 post 141.

The epoxy 103 is a chemical compound. The epoxy 103 is a liquid phase resin. The epoxy 103 forms a solution of two chemical compounds. The two chemical compounds undergo a chemical reaction that polymerizes the liquid phase resin into a solid phase polymer that coats the fence 104 post 141. The epoxy 103 is poured into the invention 100 after the fence 104 post 141 is inserted into the invention 100. The amount of epoxy 103 poured into the invention 100 is adequate to fill the volume of the hollow interiors of both the vertical shell 101 and the pedestal disk 102 that remains after the insertion of the fence 104 post 141.

The vertical shell 101 is a hollow tubular structure. The vertical shell 101 is a prism-shaped structure. The shape of the vertical shell 101 is geometrically similar to the fence 104 post 141. The vertical shell 101 is a prism-shaped structure. The inner diameter of the prism structure of the vertical shell 101 is greater than the outer diameter of the fence 104 post 141 such that the fence 104 post 141 inserts into the vertical shell 101. The vertical shell 101 forms an opening accessible from above ground 151 that receives the fence 104 post 141. The vertical shell 101 receives the fence 104 post 141 into the invention 100. The vertical shell 101 forms a sleeve that protects the lateral face of the fence 104 post 141 from moisture and chemicals in the ground 151. The vertical shell 101 comprises a plurality of offset ridges 111, a superior shell end 112, an inferior shell end 113, and a shell lateral face 114.

Each of the plurality of offset ridges 111 is a prism-shaped structure. Each of the plurality of offset ridges 111 is a ridge that attaches to an interior surface of the shell lateral face 114 of the vertical shell 101. The center axis of the prism structure of each of the plurality of offset ridges 111 runs parallel to the center axis of the prism structure of the vertical shell 101. Each of the plurality of offset ridges 111 runs along the interior surface of the shell lateral face 114 from the superior shell end 112 to the inferior shell end 113. Each of the plurality of offset ridges 111 offsets the fence 104 post 141 away from the shell lateral face 114 of the vertical shell 101 such that a space is created between the fence 104 post 141 and the vertical shell 101 that will be filled by the epoxy 103.

The superior shell end 112 is an open congruent end of the hollow prism structure of the vertical shell 101. The superior shell end 112 provides access into the hollow interior of the vertical shell 101. The superior shell end 112 is accessible from the surface of the ground 151. The superior shell end 112 is the end of the vertical shell 101 that is distal from the inferior shell end 113.

The inferior shell end 113 is an open congruent end of the hollow prism structure of the vertical shell 101. The inferior shell end 113 provides access into the hollow interior of the vertical shell 101. The inferior shell end 113 provides access from the hollow interior of the prism structure of the vertical shell 101 into the hollow interior of the disk structure of the pedestal disk 102. The inferior shell end 113 is the end of the vertical shell 101 that inserts into the pedestal disk 102.

The shell lateral face 114 forms the solid vertically oriented faces of the vertical shell 101. The shell lateral face 114 forms the exterior surfaces of the vertical shell 101. The shell lateral face 114 runs from the superior shell end 112 to the inferior shell end 113.

The pedestal disk 102 is a solid structure. The pedestal disk 102 is a disk-shaped structure. The pedestal disk 102 forms the inferior structure of the invention 100. The pedestal disk 102 is buried in the ground 151 such that the pedestal disk 102 is distal from the surface of the ground 151. The vertical shell 101 inserts is affixed onto the pedestal disk 102 to assemble the mechanical portion of the invention 100. The surface area of the congruent end of the disk structure of the pedestal disk 102 is greater than the surface area of the congruent end of the prism structure of the vertical shell 101. This increased surface area of the congruent end of the pedestal disk 102 prevents the invention 100 from shifting in the ground 151 in a direction lateral to the center axis of the prism structure of the vertical shell 101. The pedestal disk 102 comprises a plurality of disk bumps 121, a superior disk end 122, an inferior disk end 123, and a disk lateral face 124.

The plurality of disk bumps 121 are provided on the superior disk end 122 of the pedestal disk 102. The plurality of disk bumps extend vertically to interface with the interior of the vertical shell 101. The fence 104 post 141 is further defined with a bottom post end 147. The bottom post end 147 of the fence 104 post 141 interfaces with the plurality of disk bumps 121 in order to raise the bottom post end 147 of the fence 104 post 141 off of the superior disk end 122 of the pedestal disk 102 thereby enabling the epoxy 103 to encase the bottom post end 147 of the fence 104 post 141.

The superior disk end 122 is a congruent end of the disk structure of the pedestal disk 102. The superior disk end 122 is the end of the pedestal disk 102 that is distal from the inferior disk end 123. The inferior disk end 123 is a closed congruent end of the hollow prism structure of the pedestal disk 102.

The disk lateral face 124 forms the solid vertically oriented faces of the pedestal disk 102. The disk lateral face 124 forms the vertically oriented exterior surfaces of the pedestal disk 102. The disk lateral face 124 runs from the superior disk end 122 to the inferior disk end 123.

The following definitions were used in this disclosure:

Align: As used in this disclosure, align refers to an arrangement of objects that are: 1) arranged in a straight plane or line; 2) arranged to give a directional sense of a plurality of parallel planes or lines; or, 3) a first line or curve is congruent to and overlaid on a second line or curve.

Center: As used in this disclosure, a center is a point that is: 1) the point within a circle that is equidistant from all the points of the circumference; 2) the point within a regular polygon that is equidistant from all the vertices of the regular polygon; 3) the point on a line that is equidistant from the ends of the line; 4) the point, pivot, or axis around which something revolves; or, 5) the centroid or first moment of an area or structure. In cases where the appropriate definition or definitions are not obvious, the fifth option should be used in interpreting the specification.

Center Axis: As used in this disclosure, the center axis is the axis of a cylinder or a prism. The center axis of a prism is the line that joins the center point of the first congruent face of the prism to the center point of the second corresponding congruent face of the prism. The center axis of a pyramid refers to a line formed through the apex of the pyramid that is perpendicular to the base of the pyramid. When the center axes of two cylinder, prism or pyramidal structures share the same line they are said to be aligned. When the center axes of two cylinder, prism or pyramidal structures do not share the same line they are said to be offset.

Composite Prism: As used in this disclosure, a composite prism refers to a structure that is formed from a plurality of structures selected from the group consisting of a prism structure and a pyramid structure. The plurality of selected structures may or may not be truncated. The plurality of prism structures are joined together such that the center axes of each of the plurality of structures are aligned. The congruent ends of any two structures selected from the group consisting of a prism structure and a pyramid structure need not be geometrically similar.

Congruent: As used in this disclosure, congruent is a term that compares a first object to a second object. Specifically, two objects are said to be congruent when: 1) they are geometrically similar; and, 2) the first object can superimpose over the second object such that the first object aligns, within manufacturing tolerances, with the second object.

Correspond: As used in this disclosure, the term correspond is used as a comparison between two or more objects wherein one or more properties shared by the two or more objects match, agree, or align within acceptable manufacturing tolerances.

Disk: As used in this disclosure, a disk is a prism-shaped object that is flat in appearance. The disk is formed from two congruent ends that are attached by a lateral face. The sum of the surface areas of two congruent ends of the prism-shaped object that forms the disk is greater than the surface area of the lateral face of the prism-shaped object that forms the disk. In this disclosure, the congruent ends of the prism-shaped structure that forms the disk are referred to as the faces of the disk.

Epoxy: As used in this disclosure, an epoxy is a polymer-based adhesive that is characterized by the use of an epoxide functional group. Epoxy resin is a synonym for epoxy.

Fence: As used in this disclosure, a fence is a barrier structure that encloses an outdoor space for the purposes of: 1) establishing a boundary; or, 2) controlling access into or out of the enclosed space. The boundary formed by a fence is referred to as a fence line.

Fluid: As used in this disclosure, a fluid refers to a state of matter wherein the matter is capable of flow and takes the shape of a container it is placed within. The term fluid commonly refers to a liquid or a gas.

Form Factor: As used in this disclosure, the term form factor refers to the size and shape of an object.

Gas: As used in this disclosure, a gas refers to a state (phase) of matter that is fluid and that fills the volume of the structure that contains it. Stated differently, the volume of a gas always equals the volume of its container.

Geometrically Similar: As used in this disclosure, geometrically similar is a term that compares a first object to a second object wherein: 1) the sides of the first object have a one to one correspondence to the sides of the second object; 2) wherein the ratio of the length of each pair of corresponding sides are equal; 3) the angles formed by the first object have a one to one correspondence to the angles of the second object; and, 4) wherein the corresponding angles are equal. The term geometrically identical refers to a situation where the ratio of the length of each pair of corresponding sides equals 1.

Ground: As used in this disclosure, the ground is a solid supporting surface formed by the Earth. The term level ground means that the supporting surface formed by the ground is roughly perpendicular to the force of gravity.

Inner Dimension: As used in this disclosure, the term inner dimension describes the span from a first inside or interior surface of a container to a second inside or interior surface of a container. The term is used in much the same way that a plumber would refer to the inner diameter of a pipe.

Lateral: As used in this disclosure, the term lateral refers to a direction that is perpendicular or roughly perpendicular to a previously identified central axis.

Liquid: As used in this disclosure, a liquid refers to a state (phase) of matter that is fluid and that maintains, for a given pressure, a fixed volume that is independent of the volume of the container.

Offset: As used in this disclosure, an offset refers to the span of distance or cant by which two objects are out of alignment.

One to One: When used in this disclosure, a one to one relationship means that a first element selected from a first set is in some manner connected to only one element of a second set. A one to one correspondence means that the one to one relationship exists both from the first set to the second set and from the second set to the first set. A one to one fashion means that the one to one relationship exists in only one direction.

Outer Dimension: As used in this disclosure, the term outer dimension describes the span from a first exterior or outer surface of a tube or container to a second exterior or outer surface of a tube or container. The term is used in much the same way that a plumber would refer to the outer diameter of a pipe.

Pedestal: As used in this disclosure, a pedestal is an intermediary load bearing structure that that forms a load path between a supporting surface and an object, structure, or load.

Perimeter: As used in this disclosure, a perimeter is one or more curved or straight lines that bounds an enclosed area on a plane or surface. The perimeter of a circle is commonly referred to as a circumference.

Phase: As used in this disclosure, phase refers to the state of the form of matter. The common states of matter are solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Polymer: As used in this disclosure, a polymer refers to a molecular chain that comprises multiple repeating units known as monomers. The repeating unit may be an atom or a molecular structure.

Post: As used in this disclosure, a post of a fence is a stanchion that is: 1) set into the ground; and 2) provides the vertical structural support for the fence.

Prism: As used in this disclosure, a prism is a three-dimensional geometric structure wherein: 1) the form factor of two faces of the prism are congruent; and, 2) the two congruent faces are parallel to each other. The two congruent faces are also commonly referred to as the ends of the prism. The surfaces that connect the two congruent faces are called the lateral faces. In this disclosure, when further description is required a prism will be named for the geometric or descriptive name of the form factor of the two congruent faces. If the form factor of the two corresponding faces has no clearly established or well-known geometric or descriptive name, the term irregular prism will be used. The center axis of a prism is defined as a line that joins the center point of the first congruent face of the prism to the center point of the second corresponding congruent face of the prism. The center axis of a prism is otherwise analogous to the center axis of a cylinder. A prism wherein the ends are circles is commonly referred to as a cylinder.

Resin: As used in this disclosure, a resin refers to a polymer in a liquid phase.

Ridge: As used in this disclosure, a ridge is a rectangular block structure attaches to and projects vertically away from away from a first surface.

Sleeve: As used in this disclosure, a sleeve is a tube-like covering that is placed over a rod, shaft or other cylindrical object.

Supporting Surface: As used in this disclosure, a supporting surface is a horizontal surface upon which an object is placed and to which the load path of the object is transferred. This disclosure assumes that an object placed on the supporting surface is in an orientation that is appropriate for the normal or anticipated use of the object.

Tube: As used in this disclosure, the term tube is used to describe a rigid hollow prism-shaped device with two open ends. While tubes that are suitable for use in this disclosure are often used to transport or conveys fluids or gases, the purpose of the tubes in this disclosure are structural. In this disclosure, the terms inner dimension and outer dimension of a tube are used as they would be used by those skilled in the plumbing arts.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention described above and in FIGS. 1 through 5 include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the invention.

It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

The inventor claims:
 1. A fence post-protecting system comprising a vertical shell, a pedestal disk, and an epoxy; wherein the vertical shell attaches to the pedestal disk; wherein the epoxy is poured into the vertical shell and the pedestal disk; wherein the fence post-protecting system is configured for use with a fence; wherein the fence further comprises a fence post; wherein the fence post is configured to be buried in the ground; wherein the fence post-protecting system is buried in the ground; wherein the fence post inserts into the fence post-protecting system after the fence post-protecting system has been buried in the ground; wherein the fence post-protecting system forms a sleeve structure that encloses the portion of the fence post that is below the ground; wherein the pedestal disk comprises a plurality of disk bumps, a superior disk end, an inferior disk end, and a disk lateral face; wherein the pedestal disk forms the superior disk end, the inferior disk end, and the disk lateral face; wherein a disk aperture is formed through the superior disk end of the pedestal disk.
 2. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 1 wherein the fence post inserts into the fence post-protecting system through the vertical shell.
 3. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 2 wherein the epoxy is poured into the vertical shell and the pedestal disk after the fence post is inserted into the fence post-protecting system; wherein the epoxy forms a fluid impermeable coating around the fence post that protects the fence post.
 4. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 3 wherein the epoxy is a chemical compound; wherein the epoxy is a liquid phase resin; wherein the epoxy is poured into the fence post-protecting system after the fence post is inserted into the fence post-protecting system.
 5. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 4 wherein the epoxy polymerizes the liquid phase resin into a solid phase polymer that coats the fence post.
 6. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 5 wherein the vertical shell is a hollow tubular structure; wherein the vertical shell is a prism-shaped structure; wherein the shape of the vertical shell is geometrically similar to the fence post.
 7. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 6 wherein the inner diameter of the prism structure of the vertical shell is greater than the outer diameter of the fence post such that the fence post inserts into the vertical shell.
 8. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 7 wherein the vertical shell inserts onto the pedestal disk to assemble the mechanical portion of the fence post-protecting system.
 9. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 8 wherein the pedestal disk is a solid structure; wherein the pedestal disk is a disk-shaped structure.
 10. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 9 wherein the pedestal disk forms the inferior structure of the fence post-protecting system.
 11. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 10 wherein the pedestal disk is buried in the ground such that the pedestal disk is distal from the surface of the ground.
 12. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 11 wherein the surface area of the congruent end of the disk structure of the pedestal disk is greater than the surface area of the congruent end of the prism structure of the vertical shell; wherein this increased surface area of the congruent end of the pedestal disk prevents the fence post-protecting system from shifting in the ground in a direction lateral to the center axis of the prism structure of the vertical shell.
 13. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 12 wherein the vertical shell comprises a plurality of offset ridges, a superior shell end, an inferior shell end, and a shell lateral face; wherein the vertical shell forms the superior shell end, the inferior shell end, and the shell lateral face; wherein the plurality of offset ridges attach to the shell lateral face.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 13 wherein each of the plurality of offset ridges is a prism-shaped structure; wherein each of the plurality of offset ridges is a ridge that attaches to an interior surface of the shell lateral face of the vertical shell; wherein the center axis of the prism structure of each of the plurality of offset ridges runs parallel to the center axis of the prism structure of the vertical shell; wherein each of the plurality of offset ridges runs along the interior surface of the shell lateral face from the superior shell end to the inferior shell end; wherein each of the plurality of offset ridges offsets the fence post away from the shell lateral face of the vertical shell such that a space is created between the fence post and the vertical shell that will be filled by the epoxy.
 16. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 15 wherein the disk aperture is geometrically similar to the vertical shell; wherein the inner diameter of the disk aperture is greater than the outer diameter of the vertical shell such that the vertical shell inserts into the pedestal disk through the disk aperture.
 17. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 16 wherein the superior shell end is an open congruent end of the hollow prism structure of the vertical shell; wherein the superior shell end provides access into the hollow interior of the vertical shell; wherein the superior shell end is accessible from the surface of the ground; wherein the superior shell end is the end of the vertical shell that is distal from the inferior shell end; wherein the inferior shell end is an open congruent end of the hollow prism structure of the vertical shell; wherein the inferior shell end provides access into the hollow interior of the vertical shell; wherein the inferior shell end provides access from the hollow interior of the prism structure of the vertical shell onto the disk structure of the pedestal disk; wherein the inferior shell end is the end of the vertical shell that intefaces with the pedestal disk.
 18. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 17 wherein the shell lateral face forms the solid vertically oriented faces of the vertical shell; wherein the shell lateral face forms the exterior surfaces of the vertical shell; wherein the shell lateral face runs from the superior shell end to the inferior shell end.
 19. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 18 wherein the plurality of disk bumps are provided on the superior disk end of the pedestal disk; wherein the plurality of disk bumps extend vertically to interface with the interior of the vertical shell; wherein the fence post is further defined with a bottom post end; wherein the bottom post end of the fence post interfaces with the plurality of disk bumps in order to raise the bottom post end of the fence post off of the superior disk end of the pedestal disk thereby enabling the epoxy to encase the bottom post end of the fence post; wherein the superior disk end is a congruent end of the disk structure of the pedestal disk; wherein the superior disk end provides access into the hollow interior of the pedestal disk; wherein the superior disk end is the end of the pedestal disk that is distal from the inferior disk end; wherein the inferior disk end is a closed congruent end of the hollow prism structure of the pedestal disk.
 20. The fence post-protecting system according to claim 19 wherein the disk lateral face forms the solid vertically oriented faces of the pedestal disk; wherein the disk lateral face forms the vertically oriented exterior surfaces of the pedestal disk; wherein the disk lateral face runs from the superior disk end to the inferior disk end. 